Comperiella calauanica sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an endoparasitoid of the invasive coconut scale, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on Luzon Island, Philippines

• Main Authors: Barrion, Alberto T., Almarinez, Billy Joel M., Amalin, Divina M., Carandang, Jose Santos R., VI
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Encyrtidae—Philippines—Luzon; Aspidiotus—Philippines—Luzon; Coconut—Diseases and pests—Philippines—Luzon; Coconut—Diseases and pests—Biological control; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11258
• Institution: De La Salle University

Comperiella calaztanica sp. n., an encyrtid endoparasitoid of coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne discovered in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines is described and illustrated. This highly invasive armoured scale insect is a devastating pest of coconut trees including seedlings in three provinces on Luzon Island, namely: Batangas, Laguna and Quezon. A key to the species of Comperiella reported in the Philippines is also provided. The endoparasitoid is a promising biological control agent in the regulation of the coconut scale insect populations in the field. Survey results showed that parasitism by C. calauanica sp. n. on A. rigidus colonies in the affected areas ranged from 65-92% in the third quarter of 2014.